I went with 2009--- largely because I lovedCoraline, found much to enjoy with the goofy Monsters Vs. Aliens, was dazzled by Up's first few minutes, found Ponyo to be one of my favourite Ghibli films, and I thought that 9 and even Battle for Terra were admirable attempts at doing good sci-fi. Plus, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure (the best of the Tink movies) were unexpected delights, Astro Boy was a nostalgic fun ride (if a bit of a misfire), Princess and The Frog was much anticipated (and enjoyable if not as great as we'd hoped) and the one-two-three punch of Sita, Fantastic Mister Fox, and Secret of Kells brought true originality to animated films that year. Plus Disney's A Christmas Carol came close (for some) to actually validating motion capture; well, at least it looked pretty.

Sure, Ice Age 3 was mediocre and Planet 51 was best forgotten, but there were a whole bunch of dang fine or at least fun and memorable films that year. I don't see any other year that matches it for shear volume of good-to-greatness. Though, 2010 does come close.

What's interesting, though, is how easily I could be put off an entire year just by seeing one bad film on the list. 2008 sure had a few dogs in it. 2011 had a few great ones, but I couldn't forgive it for all the ones I either actively disliked or heard enough bad things about that I knew enough to ignore: Gnomeo and Juliet (shudder!), the medium-killing Mars Needs Moms, Puss in Boots, Happy Feet 2, and Hoodwinked Too.